Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Raw Mashed "Taters" and Gravy

Today marks the halfway point in my 26-day Adventure Cleanse Tune-up! I've had that "Livin' On a Prayer" song by Bon Jovi in my head all day ... "oh, we're halfway the-ere! oo-ooh, livin' on a pray-er!"

Only 13 days of raw lunches left, and though I'm more than ready to bring bread and processed foods (how I miss you, vegan sausage!) back into my life, I'm enjoying the raw goodness while it lasts. Today, I took comfort in this plate of Raw Mashed "Potatoes" with Mushroom Gravy:

The recipe came from Living in the Raw Gourmet by Rose Lee Calabro, and it uses cauliflower in place of actual taters. The cauliflower, along with some garlic, herbs, and olive oil, are processed in a food processor. I've tried other raw mashed cauliflower recipes before, but this one was way creamier ... much more on par with the texture of real, cooked mashed potatoes.

The mushroom gravy is made with a raw almond milk base, raw mushrooms, and some spices. I subbed button mushrooms for the shitakes in the recipe because I don't care for the taste of raw shitakes. And I also added some nooch and Marmite to the gravy for a heartier taste. I'm not sure if Marmite is raw, but it's so tasty and nutritious that I don't really care.

Though a raw dish like this can never quite fill the desire for cooked comfort foods, it comes pretty darn close.

Congrats on being halfway done with your cleanse. It looks like you're doing a great job! The raw mashed "potatoes" sound interesting. I like mashed cauliflower but can never seem to get mine creamy enough.

You are doing great and I am loving all of your great recipes and ideas! I was inspired by you and have been doing a similar all raw until dinner. It is tough and the coffee thing is the worst. I am glad to see you are halfway through. Thanks for the mashed 'taters. I am going to have to try them. Keep up the good work!